NEWS AND OPINION:
Let’s have a quick Donald Trump moment before rushing headlong into a complicated week. From an advisory to Inside the Beltway from Morning Hangover, a news-tip sheet for country-music lovers:
“You may not have known this, but the official slogan of the Donald J. Trump for President campaign, Make America Great Again, was actually trademarked back in August by country music/iHeartRadio personality Bobby Estell, aka Bobby Bones. Bones offered to transfer the trademark to Trump in exchange for a significant donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Well, about an hour ago, the most influential man in all of country radio posted the following: ’Can’t say how much the check was for, but thanks Donald Trump. This check goes to St. Jude. Have your slogan back’.”
Mr. Bones later tweeted to the Republican presidential front-runner a very cordial “Thanks for the check BUDDY!!!!!”
THROW IN A FUNDRAISER OR TWO
“On Monday, as part of his commitment to criminal justice reform, the President will travel to the Newark, New Jersey area to highlight the re-entry process of formerly-incarcerated individuals who are working to put their lives back on track and earn their second chance,” notes a new White House dispatch describing President Obama’s schedule, which includes a visit with Sen. Cory Booker and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka.
“While in Newark, the President will visit a residential facility, Integrity House, and later convene a roundtable discussion at Rutgers University Newark, Center for Law & Justice, where he will also deliver a statement. Afterward, the President will travel to New York, New York for a DNC event and a DCCC event.”
SEE ALSO: Republican campaigns discuss debate concerns at secret meeting
One of the events, incidentally, is a special performance of “Hamilton,” a Broadway musical, with the DNC selling the seats for up to $5,000 each, and meant to help pay down Mr. Obama’s previous campaign debt.
HOW QUICKLY 2016 WILL ARRIVE
The new year arrives 60 days from Monday; that’s essentially eight weeks and some change. The “FITN” crowd — the acronym stands for first-in-the-nation — is already gearing up. The New Hampshire Republican Party, in fact, has announced that in the third week of January, it will stage a two-day FITN Presidential Town Hall town hall, with all the trimmings — candidates, forums, dinners, hoopla — just prior to the state big moment on Feb. 9.
“Only days before New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, Granite Staters will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the Republican candidates for president of the United States seeking their vote,” says Jennifer Horn, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
The event is expected to attract at least 1,000 grass-roots activists. Ms. Horn says it will be historic and have a little frugal New England tradition going for it — “an affordable, enjoyable and educational political experience in the spirit of our state’s political tradition.”
JEB BUSH RE-BOOTS
SEE ALSO: John Kasich wants new tax system for offshore businesses, smaller government
The press has not been kind to Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush — but he is pushing back, embarking on an intense campaign tour Monday complete with new video. Mr. Bush is also releasing a new book which offers a contrast, perhaps, to Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton’s camp.
“Reply All: A Governor’s Story 1999-2007” traces Mr. Bush’s leadership through his email exchanges with his staff, journalists and constituents.
“Governor Bush spent 25-30 hours a week using email to stay connected to his mission of being the best leader for Florida he could possibly be. This book illustrates his unique, hands-on leadership style and the tremendous record of achievement he compiled as the governor of America’s 4th largest state,” preliminary materials advise.
The book is a 644-page whopper in paperback or Kindle editions, available through Amazon on Monday.
HERE COME THE BIG GUNS
They gather Monday morning for an on-the-record discussion titled “The Age of Everything” meant to parse out national security priorities in an era of evolving threats and asymmetric engagement.
Among the 18 speakers to lend wisdom and promising possibilities for the daylong event organized by Defense One: Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley; Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work; House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry, Texas Republican; Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Nicholas Rasmussen; and Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc, commander of U.S. Special Operations, Command Africa.
Yes, C-SPAN will be there, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
ONE FOR HILLSDALE
Monday marks the fifth anniversary of Hillsdale College’s Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship, the Capitol Hill campus advises. It’s also home to a spiffy new broadcast facility, to be launched with much ado by an on-air talent who is a national force, and TV presence.
“In celebration, there is a dedication ceremony for their new Boyle Radio Studio, where Hugh Hewitt will be present and conducting the inaugural broadcast with special guests and Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale. Mr. Hewitt will broadcast from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.,” advises a Hillsdale spokesman.
POLL DU JOUR
• 29 percent of the global population say immigrants mostly take jobs in their country that local citizen want; 21 percent of Americans agree.
• 27 percent of the global population say immigrants take jobs that local citizens do not want; 68 percent of Americans agree.
• 26 percent of the global population don’t known what kind of jobs immigrants take; 4 percent of Americans agree.
• 18 percent overall say immigrants take both wanted and unwanted jobs; 7 percent of Americans agree.
Source: A Gallup poll of 183,772 adults in 142 nations from 2012 to 2014; the sample included 1,000 U.S. adults. The poll was released Friday.
• Ballyhoo and balderdash to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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